An overall view of the gathering at SHC parish centre on Nov 4, 2021
By Joe Leong
Nov 5 2021
KOTA KINABALU – A group of 80 from the Neo Catechumenal communities gathered at the Sacred Heart Cathedral (SHC) here the whole morning on Thursday (Nov 4), a public holiday, to participate in the Synodal process at the parish level.
Fr Paul Lo, the rector of SHC, was with them, presiding over the proceedings starting with Morning Prayers from the Divine Office.
The parish priest briefed them on the whole Synodal process from when it started to the Regional Synod, up to the diocesan and parish level. He said they were the first group in the parish to do so at the SHC.
Fr Paul Lo (far left) giving the briefing at the gathering on Nov 4, 2021 at the SHC parish centre
Edward Muthu, the Responsible of the Neo Catechumenal communities, said it was the duty of the communities to respond to the call of the church, “so that we can be heard by the Vatican that we are the church”.
He said the fact that “a good number” of the community members were present showed that “we are alive (as a church) and not dead, and can be seen as a sign that we enter into the will of God”.
After prayers and listening to writings of the fathers of the church, like St Charles Borroneo, a bishop whose feast day was commemorated that day, they broke into groups to spend two hours reflecting and sharing their personal experience of journeying together.
Archbishop John Wong, after listening to reports from representatives of the groups, said he felt encouraged and enriched, thanking God for his love and patience. He joined them in singing the Psalm, “Mary, Mother of the Burning Way”, before closing the event with a blessing.
